Spend some time with Darcie the therapy dog
The Dartmouth Libraries are bringing back Darcie, the therapy dog. Some timidly pet her belly, others confidently patted her head but everyone walked away with a smile.
“She’s very soft and calm,” said Scarlot Reis, 6.
Reis had a bad experience with a big dog and is now getting used to them again. She said she felt “calm” after petting Darcie for a few minutes.
Two other children came who were afraid at first, but after some time and timid pets, became much more comfortable and started overcoming their fears.
Therapy dogs have a calming effect, and can help dissolve stress and worries. The Dartmouth Libraries are battling stress by having Darcie the golden retriever come by the libraries once a week.
“Boy, did I need this,” said Julie Manon of New Bedford while petting Darcie.
Darcie is six years old, and began helping kids in the libraries last year. She would fall asleep as kids nervous about reading out loud read books to her.
Her handler, Kathleen DeCampos, said that parents would lay down and pet her, and ask “When do we get a turn?”
This year, DeCampos and the manager of the North Branch Library Saharani Robins, decided that everyone should have the opportunity to spend some time with Darcie.
“Darcie is an old soul and she’s very sensitive to individuals,” said DeCampos, “Even at the middle school, she kind of mirrors the students' personalities. If someone's a bit more energetic she’ll be up and not sleeping with them. But if someone's a bit more reserved, she’s calm with them.”
Robins initially came up with the idea to bring therapy dogs to the library years ago. She was surprised by how powerful the impact was, how kids who were afraid of reading would become comfortable around the dogs.
She wants the library to be a break from the craziness of the rest of the world and make the library a place for the community, and dogs help make the library a welcoming and friendly place.
“I’m probably selfish too, I enjoy it as much as anybody else,” said Robins.
The library is not the only place Darcie visits; she also visits Dartmouth Middle School once a week to help kids with their stress.
DeCampos remembers one instance of Darcie’s evident impact. A middle school girl was having a bad day, and asked to talk with Darcie and DeCampos . Darcie made herself close to the student, pushing her body into the girl.
“When the student left, Darcie just let out this huge sigh like she had consumed all of that,” DeCampos said, “She got home and she went on the bed and slept for hours.”
Darcie has been a registered therapy dog for three years, having passed all three levels of testing required by the American Kennel Club, a purebred dog sports, health and welfare organization.
An AKC worker first observed DeCampos and Darcie’s interactions and how well Darcie listened. Next, Darcie visited a school to see how she interacted with children. DeCampos said that the children swarmed her, and Darcie laid down for the kids to give her pets. Lastly, she visited a nursing home. DeCampos said she was calm and well behaved.
Darcie is talented at many tricks, including the basics like “sit” and “stay” and some showier tricks like “spin” and “paw,” according to DeCampos.
Darcie also competes in AKC Obedience and Rally dog shows in her spare time and is learning the trick “bow” for when she wins.
Darcie is smart, and would perk up at certain words. She seemed to follow the conversation, and DeCampos said that Darcie does seem to know what is happening and understand what is being said.
In her spare time, Darcie has been spotted floating in her pool floaty, like the “prima donna” her mom describes her as, or going on walks at scenic local spots. Besides dog shows, she has also started doing scent training, learning to search for essential oils as an exercise. DeCampos said Darcie loves attention of any kind, but especially loves scratches behind the ears and along her spine.
“I just love being with her, she’s just sweet,” said DeCampos .
To spend time with Darcie, she will be making an appearance at one of the Dartmouth libraries each week. She will be at the North Branch every other Wednesdays starting on Oct. 8 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. and every other Friday at the Southworth Library starting Oct. 17 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.